Add or remove line numbers

Word can automatically count the lines in a document and display the appropriate number beside each line of text. This is useful when you need to refer to specific lines in a document, such as a script or a legal contract.

By default, Word numbers every line in a document (except those in tables, footnotes, endnotes, text boxes, and headers and footers). However, you can choose which line numbers to display. For example, you can display line numbers in all or part of the document. Or you can display line numbers at intervals, such as every tenth line (10, 20, 30, and so on).

What do you want to do?

Add line numbers

You can add line numbers to all or part of a document. To view line numbers, you must be in Print Layout view (click the View tab to check).

Notes:

A table is counted as one line.

A figure is counted as one line.

A text box is counted as one line if it is positioned inline with the text on the page. If text on the page wraps around the text box, the lines of text on the page are counted. Lines of text inside a text box are not counted.

Add line numbers to an entire document

On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Line Numbers.

Note: If your document is divided into sections and you want to add line numbers to the entire document, you first need to select the document. Click Select in the Editing group on the Home tab, and then click Select All. Or press CTRL+A.

Do one of the following:

To number consecutively throughout the document, click Continuous.

To start with number 1 on each page, click Restart Each Page.

To start with number 1 after each section break, click Restart Each Section.

For more advanced line numbering options, such as numbering at different intervals, click Line Numbering Options, and then click Line Numbers on the Layout tab.

Add line numbers to a section or to multiple sections

Click in a section or select multiple sections.

On the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Line Numbers.

Click Line Numbering Options, and then click the Layout tab.

In the Apply to list, click Selected sections.

Click Line Numbers.

Select the Add line numbering check box, and then select the options that you want.

What do you want to do?

Add line numbers

You can add line numbers to all or part of a document. To view line numbers, you must be in Print Layout view (click the View tab to check).

Notes:

A table is counted as one line.

A figure is counted as one line.

A text box is counted as one line if it is positioned inline with the text on the page. If text on the page wraps around the text box, the lines of text on the page are counted. Lines of text inside a text box are not counted.

Add line numbers to an entire document

On the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Line Numbers.

Note: If your document is divided into sections and you want to add line numbers to the entire document, you first need to select the document. Click Select in the Editing group on the Home tab, and then click Select All. Or press CTRL+A.

Do one of the following:

To number consecutively throughout the document, click Continuous.

To start with number 1 on each page, click Restart Each Page.

To start with number 1 after each section break, click Restart Each Section.

For more advanced line numbering options, such as numbering at different intervals, click Line Numbering Options, and then click Line Numbers on the Layout tab.

Add line numbers to a section or to multiple sections

Click in a section or select multiple sections.

On the Page Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click Line Numbers.

Click Line Numbering Options, and then click the Layout tab.

In the Apply to list, click Selected sections.

Click Line Numbers.

Select the Add line numbering check box, and then select the options that you want.